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This was a problem for me in the past. Now I make sure I have it ready to go and I do my nightly routine of washing my face, brushing my teeth, and make sure my parts are clean, machine is plugged in, etc. before sitting down to watch tv or read a book or whatever. Then if I feel like I'm tired enough I might fall asleep I go ahead and put it on. Even if I end up watching tv for an hour at least I know it's on rather than falling asleep without it.
This is likely going to be a long one, but I'm really trying hard to get on and stay on the CPAP this time around as I really need some improvement in my overall energy and health.
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea when I was 29, but I couldn't tolerate the mask at all and didn't try again until about 3 years ago. I think I was just so desperate for some sleep and to not feel so tired this time around I tolerated the mask quite well. I used it usually at least 8 hours a night and even for the occasional naps for about 10 months, but had so many side effects and issues, with minimal noticeable improvements, that I gave up. The one thing it did do for me was reduce my almost daily headaches. My energy level was still very poor in the morning, and I still needed to nap quite a bit, but I do feel like I had a little more energy later in the day. But I was having terrible bloat and pain and getting chronic sinus infections that made it really hard to use. It also dried my eyes out terribly and made it impossible to wear contacts anymore. While some of that was issues with leaking I think most was just the air flow from the front of the mask during the night.
I went back on with my old machine about a month ago and after a week of use, but the pressure it was giving was all over the place so replaced it with a Resmed AirSense 10. I've been using it for about 10 days now but have a few questions and problems.
I'm getting horrible bloat from it again. This morning was the worst and when I woke my abdomen was terribly distended and painful to the touch. I read about how I may need a pressure adjustment, but I don't quite understand this because the pressure is automatic. Any useful tips on how to deal with this?
While I don't wear contacts anymore I can tell my eyes are getting really dry already. I don't think it's a matter of leaking I really just think it's all the air circulating around from the front of the mask. I try to turn the hose so it's pointing the other direction but it still hits the pillow and blows back enough to dry my eyes out. When I was wearing contacts drops didn't help much, but I can try that again. Any other way to alleviate this? Aside from wearing goggles to bed? lol
I'm also wondering about the scoring on the My Air site. In particular when it comes to leaks, does it register a leak if it's coming from my mouth? I'm still having an issue with waking with an extremely dry mouth, but the last two nights my score showed a perfect 20/20 so it seems like I'm barely having any leaks. Just curious because I really don't feel like my lips are opening but I think my jaw is dropping enough that the air is circulating into my mouth before going down to my esophagus and I can't figure out how to stop that from happening. I have a nice wide chin strap that is doing a better job than the one I used last time. And I can't wear it any tighter and still manage to sleep. I am going to try and get heated tubing next time around so I can bump up the humidifier too.
Also along those lines do these scores really mean anything? I'm just wondering if they are just to be motivational or if a high score really accurately reflects effective treatment.
I think that's all I got for now. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Heather
Thanks for this info! I'm doing a little reading on it now. I've also been looking into Mask Liners and think I may just try and cut a makeshift one out of fabric and see if it helps.
But reducing the oiliness of my skin would be a win all around if this stuff works.
I'm sure this depends on what machine and what your doctor has pre programmed. I have a Resmed Airsense 10 with a range of 5-16 and I use the ramp setting that starts at a 4 for however long I set it for. My humidifier I set at a 5 and that seems to work for me.
Did you talk to your doctor or respiratory therapist about settings?
I've experienced memory issues as well. I always feel foggy and some days I struggle a lot to remember even simple words like what you call a cup. Usually those are the days I slept the worst and have the most fatigue. But I ended up back at my neurologist's office earlier this year because I was having trouble remembering the names of people that I know rather well. And not just 5 minutes later I recall it but I spend days racking my brain totally unable to remember the name of the woman I shared an office space with for almost 2 years. And even when I finally figure it out it feels wrong in my head like it's not connecting. I had a mini stroke a couple years ago at age 37 and this was very similar to the disconnect I felt after that. But an MRI and EEG came back normal so my doctor told me I should get back to my sleep doctor and treat my apnea again as she felt it could be sleep related. I haven't been back on it long enough yet to see if it really makes a difference, but I'm hoping it will.
Good luck, I hope you get some answers.
I'm having similar issues. Although the night waking is something I have with or without, since changing my machine it seems to be a little worse this week. I went back to CPAP a few weeks ago and using my Resmed S9 the first night I only woke twice the entire night and went back to sleep immediately. The rest of that week was my usual frequent waking all night. My machine wasn't working properly and apparently wasn't putting out enough pressure though and I can totally tell the difference now having received a brand new AirSense 10. It's taking some getting used to all over again.
But the sleep position is the hardest part. I am a stomach/side sleeper and also like to bury my face in my pillow. I have a nasal mask and can still do my side but I have to turn my head slightly so the mask isn't pulling against by pillow. And it's hurting my neck. I think I need to try a wedge and a new pillow so I can lay on my back in a more sitting upright sort of position. Or I thought about trying a body pillow and see if that helps me get more comfortable.
Hopefully we figure out some way to make it more comfortable.
Are you certain you have the right size mask? I finally don't get a lot of leaks, but I do have to pull it rather tight to achieve this and be careful about the position I'm sleeping. I also have very oily skin which builds up overnight. That combined with the high amount of moisture coming through the tube causes more leaks for me as the night goes on. I keep tissues on the bed and when I wake a couple times during the night I take it and just do a quick wipe down of my face all underneath the cushion. I've also considered cutting some fabric to use between my skin and the mask to alleviate some of that.
I don't have heated tubing, but maybe I should look into it when I get my next set of supplies. I skipped it the first time they asked because honestly I don't like the idea of warm air coming at me. I tend to always be rather hot so I thought that would just make it worse. But if it helps me get enough moisture without causing the tube to fill with water I guess it's worth a try.
Thanks!
I've been curious about this as well but I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I have mild to moderate sleep apnea but feel horrible. Tired all the time, wake up a lot during the night, never feel rested, chronic headaches, mornings have been a struggle my entire life. I had a mini stroke just a few years ago at the age of 37 and recently returned to my neurologist because I'm having memory issues. All tests were normal so she suggested I get back on my CPAP as it could be sleep related.
I was on CPAP for 10 months before quitting for a couple years due to various problems. I can't say I felt a whole lot better during that time. Only thing that I noticed a significant change with were far fewer headaches. They were almost a daily occurrence but with CPAP they cut back dramatically. I had a little more energy a little less brain fog but still wanted to sleep most of the day.
The doctor seems to think there may be something more than the sleep apnea going on and did indicate that there are people with severe cases who don't notice any symptoms at all. I'm trying to stay on the CPAP this time around though as even if I don't feel great I know it's still better for my health if I'm breathing through the night.
I have recently returned to using my CPAP, and I probably will be back with many more questions, but this one has me baffled right now so hopefully someone can help. I had a Resmed S9 and it was having issues including the humidifier not seeming to work. So I got a brand new machine the other day (the 10) and it's definitely using the water because the water chamber is almost empty in the morning but my throat and mouth are super dry several times a night. I have a nasal mask, but I also use a chin strap to keep my mouth closed. I really don't think my mouth is actually opening because in the past that would always wake me up and my lips aren't drying out at all.
What seems to be happening is that while my lips are staying closed my jaw is still dropping enough for the air to flow from my nose through my mouth without actually leaking. My chin strap already has to be rather uncomfortably tight to be very effective, any tighter and I doubt I could tolerate it.
At first I thought I should bump up the humidifier but last night I changed it from 5 to 6 and I woke up with a tube full of noisy water droplets.
Any thoughts on what I can do to prevent this from happening?
Thanks! Heather
